Dandamudi Rajagopal

Dandamudi Rajagopal Rao was an Indian weightlifter, bodybuilder, actor, sports administrator and coach who lived from 1916 to 1981 and was born in Gandigunta village in Krishna district, now in Andhra Pradesh. He won a bronze medal in heavyweight weightlifting at the 1951 Asian Games and represented India in heavyweight weightlifting at the 1948 and 1956 Olympics, finishing 16th and 9th. He held the Indian weightlifting championship for 13 years from 1945 to 1958, and in 1948 became the first Indian to win the Mr. Asia bodybuilding title. His feats of strength, such as breaking iron chains around his body by flexing after a deep breath, drew large crowds and earned him titles including Andhra Bhima, Andhra Hercules and Giant of India. He appeared in several films, most notably as Bhima in Nartanasala in 1963, founded and led the Andhra Olympic Association, and donated an indoor stadium in Vijayawada that bears his name.